Human Rights Commission throws out HST complaints

HST came into effect last week on P.E.I.

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The P.E.I. Human Rights Commission has thrown out two complaints against the province over the recently introduced Harmonized Sales Tax.

One of those complaints was filed by the group "Islanders against the HST." The other was filed by an individual Islander.

They said the tax unfairly targets people with low incomes.

Greg Howard, executive director of the P.E.I. Human Rights Commission, said it can hear complaints about the source of incomes, but not about levels of income.

"We can only deal, here at the commission, with matters that fall within our jurisdiction as set out in the act. We don't have jurisdiction to look at things that treat people differently, or more harshly, because they have a low level of income," said Howard.

A spokesperson for Islanders Against the HST said the group will appeal the decision.

The total tax in the province actually decreased from 15.5 per cent to 14, but it will mean an increase for certain commodities.